RiverClan Skyridge

[SoulJoy]

Lavenderkit was scared by all the commotion.
She didn't know what was going on but she didn't like the sound of it.

[Morrigan]

Originally Posted by Captain

High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

PIKESTAR

Honestly, the tall dark-furred tomcat should’ve saw this coming from miles away. He had held onto the sliver of hope that his clanmates would have preferred him owning up to his mistakes, and choosing to right his wrongs through actions rather than words over simply saying sorry and trying to place blame on anything, or anyone, else. Of course, the heat of the battle was still fresh and grief was still rampant, so it was obvious that RiverClan would still be very, very upset overall. His ears twitched to Brightnight, who requested to be the one to bury her father, Whisperwave. “Of course. You may do so however you may wish.” He spoke calmly, nodding to the molly before turning his attention to the rest. The first to speak up was Briarkit, whom asked about the burials potentially contaminating their water supply. Graytail was next, however, to speak before he could even get in a reply towards the young kitten. He listened silently to her words, although he did not agree with them. You did the best you could. No, he did not and even Pikestar knew that. There was always more that he could’ve done to right the situation, but he procrastinated and things went south.

Then came more opposing voices. Lilycreek, Icefury, Goatsneeze, Beansprout, Minnowpaw, and even Wormbite in his own way. And then came that single warrior who he had dreaded to see appear at this meeting: Tinystorm. Their shouts of idiocy and spinelessness struck the tall RiverClan leader rather deeply, but once again, the oriental refused to falter. He would not cry, nor tremble, nor hang his head in shame, or even fight back against the majority of the clan who spoke against him. What was Pikestar supposed to even say in response? They felt bad for the few cats that tried to defend them, because they knew they didn’t deserve defending. He was half-tempted to put it to a vote if Pikestar should step down, or stay leader. Partially because he wanted to do that. Maybe then he could just leave and live a life where he did not feel miserable every single day. What to do, what to do, what to do in a terrible situation like this. He had not meant for the meeting to go south this fast. Would this really be his legacy? A fool, an idiot, and nothing more than that? He was terrified of being hated, but it had already gotten to that point, hadn’t it? If he stepped down, he couldn’t stay here or he’d be treated like nothing for the rest of his life. Pikestar was never good at wording things right, and in trying to do better, he’d only made it worse.

The large tom’s shoulders sagged slightly, the first sign of the flood of emotions within them. Should he finally give up? Maybe that would be the best action to do then so RiverClan could actually have a capable leader. Ah, he had once dreamed of being RiverClan’s leader for many years before finally retiring to the elder’s den to live out his final life. He had high hopes for so much. Tears threatened to well up in his eye, but he forced them to not show at such a time. He had hardly anyone in his corner and he only had himself to blame for how this all happened. He inhaled and exhaled a shaky sigh to attempt to compose himself. Sleepywolf was the next to step forward, questioning the thought process behind him saying that his one life lost being equal to those all who had also lost their lives. “It’s not equal to all those lives.” He responded, shaking his head, “No matter what, there is nothing that could ever be equal to the losses we’ve suffered. I don’t… know what I was trying to say before, but I realize that it was not the right thing to say.” These cats were picking him apart like vultures over a fresh carcass, taking notice to every single word he said, and every little action too. It made Pikestar realize he couldn't do this anymore. It was too much.


"ENOUGH!" The tall gray-furred tomcat exclaimed, urgency in his tone, "Please, everyone. Do not fight. I am the one to blame for this mess and I need to take proper action to make things right again. I do not want you all to be at each other's throats because of a mistake I alone did." Pikestar heaved himself to his paws, bushy tail lashing behind him as his partial gaze found Gingerfrost. His loyal deputy, a cat that he had so desperately wanted to get to know more and grow close to. It was too late for Pikestar to redeem himself, and that alone made him want to cry, but he also wanted to give the ginger-furred tomcat a chance to succeed before his mistakes cast Gingerfrost into the deep hole Pikestar had dug for himself for mere association. "My actions have been highly ignorant and I realize now that I am not fit for leadership. I never have been, and I'm sorry that I have disappointed you all so severely. I don't want to have this clan divide itself over me, or start a rebellion: don't waste your energy or time over such a thing." He looked down at his paws for a moment, swallowing the lump of bile in their throat before focusing his gaze back on the crowd, "I, Pikestar of RiverClan, am hereby stepping down as your leader as soon as I am able to relinquish the rest of my lives to StarClan. I will accompany Gingerfrost to the Starcave where he can become the leader that you all deserve. Whether or not I am allowed to stay in this clan as a warrior will be up to you all, but most especially Gingerfrost. I have accepted my faults and am willing to accept whatever happens to me." A bold decision, but one that needed to be made for the better of RiverClan. He wasn't doing enough and he was unable to give them the leadership they all asked of him. There was no turning back.

"I know I don't deserve to ask anything from any of you, but still, I ask that I can finish this meeting. Beechkit deserves their apprentice ceremony, and I have two warriors who need to be named shields, who can help Gingerfrost build this clan up to the stature it once was." His tone was even, but he could feel his paws shaking ever so slightly. He was overstimulated once again, but Pikestar needed to continue. RiverClan deserved that from him now, after all the crap he'd done. Would he be killed? Or cast out? He didn't know. He looked to his dear daughter, who still defended him after everything. He looked to his grandkids, and Cloudjumper. Could he stay and be here for his family? Or would these cats not allow him to? He didn't know. But he knew one thing. Pikestar's time in RiverClan was over, and life would change.

// This meeting will continue on Wednesday, April 19th. \\

 

@Captain @Estelle @carmen @x ghostie @rowan @perseus. @Silverfur & Co @xavier. @Poprock @Cherry~ @vellichor @~*The_Collector*~ @Lillian @Beamheart @Willowfern @Kay~ @WinterMara @~_LuzNoceda_~ @nykyrian @WhiteDawn @Abyssopelagic @BEAR. @Fawn @hope @~*Hope*~ @ameko @lio @ophelia @-Ash- @puppeteer @furrensic @Shade. @sol. @StormySong @AlreadyMadness @Catherine @Fleafur @~'Atlas-The-Lemon'~ @Tulipfur @U.S.S. Catacombs @CatontheMoon @|~Ju-Ju-Is-A-Maniac~| @lily moon @Larissa @Starfall @Jester @DynaMight @Brightstorm☆ @CrazyCat4481 @Sklee @Wingnettle @Kunaisoul @Thistlestrike_ @xSagefeatherx @dino. @wren @CreekFang @Cottenkit @-Echo @Theabsolutecosmo @comet15 @Silvershadow13 @Buzzin' Bee @The Doctor @ThatOneJayfeatherFan @~Fawn.Heart~ @IsItACatty? @Crescentkit @Caspian @Darkclaws @Octavia! @Amber2010 @Eaglet @teddy. @mooncake @celeste @Wintersun @Birdspirit @simply.moss @zeebles @~_LuzuraTheTitan_~ @Exis @Archjay @Ravensong @Snowy Red @~Loona Hellhound~ @Scallywagz @InuKago @littlelove @jupiter @valery @Rapid @serendipity. @Dirtfur @Radetzky @SuspiciousMindz @Cinderspirit @TsuTsu! @Nixey @SoulJoy @Leafie @Sun´Spots @lillythewolf @Cornbread1233 @MeadowTail3 @Oddpaw

Mistfire's eyes were wet with tears for her dead clanmates but most of all for Pikestar he had been leader for so long now he would no longer guide his clan the grey she-cat buried her head in her mate's shoulder fur and softly whispered "What will happen now?" Briarfang looked sadly at his mate "I don't know my love, but we can get through this together" he responded it broke his heart to see Mistfre like this she was usually calm and gentle but she was shivering now she was scared he rested his tail on her flank and said ,trying to be brave, "We can do this".

[gravekeeper.]

Ravenkit trembled when Pikestar yelled at everyone, and nearly had a stroke when the oriental announced he would step down. Smokepaw sighed. "Dumbasses..." she muttered. Oleander growled. The small brown tabby kit hated this, she wanted to leave. But that would be pointless.

[wolfie]

== > @lio @Nixey @Captain
Nibble nibble. The little kit chewed on her hindpaw, awkwardly positioned as she pulled at the tufts. Little tiny teeth, though they didn't cause much pain to her. They just were bein' annoying, plus, it gave her something to do. Stormkit's fluffy tail was swishing back and forth, not really listening the meeting. It was just a looot of cats, too manyy. "BRRAH!!!" She let out a muffled squeak as a tongue swiped over her forehead, though, her fur would only fluff right back up. As spiky as ever, unable to be tamed.

Stormkit looked up to Cloudjumper with wide eyes, squinting. "Noooonoooo, " She huffed in a defiant voice, despite saying that, she shuffled back in an attempt to lean against her dad's legs. He was fluffy and comfy. As long as her fur was left alone, it was finee!! Her new favorite word was no, actually.

She tried to pay attention to the meeting, but again, she didn't.. get what was going on. Lots of words. Grand-Pike seemed... upset?? That was the word, Stormkit was pretty sure. Everyone was kind of loud. She reached up to paw at her tufted ears, puffing.

But she knew what would make the old man smile!!! Stormkit was super good at that. (This wasn't related to her desire to climb the rock, at all.) She looked towards her siblings, slowly shuffling forward. She was blissfully happy, having not a clue what sorrow lurked in the air. She just had a goal. She was going to give Pike a LICK. On their CHEEK. Stormkit always liked when they got affection.

So, looking back to Cloudjumper. Mischief twinkling in their eyes. They bolted. As fast as they could, little legs trying to carry them to the Streamstone. Easy for Cloudjumper to snatch Stormkit right up if desired.

"PIIKEEEEE!!!!!! Pike, PIKE!!! PIKE!!! RRAHH!!!" She squealed, trying to be as loud as her tiny voice allowed her to be.

[JackHunt_17]

Again... Cloudpaw struggled to feel anything because he didn't know Pikestar like the clan did but he did feel something close to sadness. He liked them and was hoping to have them as his leader

[vellichor]

Beansprout
RiverClan Warrior

// disclaimer: beansprout's in-character views do not necessarily reflect my own \\

Things were happening everywhere that demanded Beansprout's attention. First, Goosecurl [ @wren ] spat venom at Goatsneeze. Perhaps it was the paternal instincts, or something, but the siamese's lips peeled back in a snarl before he could help himself. "Do you not think Goatsneeze's 'yowling' is justified?? Lives were lost for Star's sake! His kid almost died! Perhaps forgive him if he's not waiting his turn and talking quietly."

With one last angry look at Goosecurl, Beansprout felt pressure on his shoulder as Goatsneeze [ @dino. ] accepted his offer. If the other cat would accept another gesture, Beansprout would offer to wrap his tail around the other's body, perhaps as a demonstration of understanding and solidarity.

And then, the wrath of Tinystorm fell on RiverClan's high ranks. [ @BEAR. ]

Beansprout couldn't help but feel a bit smug that someone else had noticed that Gingerfrost [ @Estelle ] had been doing little more than sitting like a useless rock at Pikestar's feet, doing his job only when it was required of him. Call Beansprout cruel, but it was satisfying to see the deputy chewed out by Tinystorm. Especially because the deputy retaliated with nothing but excuses and an apology. And a promise of one patrol that he wasn't told to assign! He couldn't help himself. Beansprout had to chime in. "If it should have happened earlier, what stopped you?" Though he didn't like the feeling, Beansprout felt pent up anger bubble inside his chest as he sat at Goatsneeze's side. "You aren't sick anymore. Does nothing get done with you unless someone kicks your grumpy ass into gear?" With a disgusted glare, Beansprout left it at that.

Sleepywolf [ @Starfall ] and Talonkit [ @Lillian ] each spoke, feuling the hot fire of anger that burned in his chest. And it seemed that Silversnow [ @puppeteer ] was about to receive the brunt of it. "This isn't just about the dog fight for Star's sake! Can't you see the bigger picture? Your father has neglected this Clan time and time again! This was just the first time it had consequences!" His tail lashed, and he felt a bit bad for doing that while Goatsneeze might still be leaning against him. "No one deserved to die! not your siblings, not your father, and not anyone else! But they did, and it's his fault!"

Another meek voice -- Pebblesplash [ @~Fawn.Heart~ ] -- spoke out in support of Pikestar. At this point, Beansprout didn't have a drop of empathy left in his body. RiverClan needed a change, and needed high ranks that actually cared about more than their titles. "If this was his all, by the Moon, this is pathetic. He should step down right now. If Pikestar's 'all' is the bare minimum, get a RiverClan leader who actually cares!" The flames of rebellion were beginning to set in his bones. High ranks were never challenged for their positions; perhaps that needed to change for the good of the Clan.

And then, Pikestar actually did it. [ @Captain ] He... gave up. Stepped down, since he couldn't step up. A wave of sympathy washed over him, but it was quickly washed away by another of frustration. "But Gingerfrost won't be the leader we deserve! Unless you're saying RiverClan deserves another leader in a long line of lazy disappointments who say they'll do better, but sit in their starsdamned dens all day! RiverClan deserves someone who cares!"

If Goatsneeze was still sitting against him, Beansprout would mutter an apology and stand, walking before the crowd of cats. "If Gingerfrost becomes leader, we'll just end up like this again! Is that really what you want, Pikestar? Is that what any of you want?" He turned to address the crowd. "The RiverClan I grew up in was strong, respected, and could hold their own! Thanks to our high ranks, we've become nothing more than a group of cats barely surviving, doing the bare minimum! We deserve better!" He was yowling now, trying to raise his voice above the chaos. "We don't WANT Gingerstar!" Who's with me?"

 

// @Captain @Estelle @carmen @x ghostie @rowan @perseus. @Silverfur & Co @xavier. @Poprock @Cherry~ @vellichor @~*The_Collector*~ @Lillian @Beamheart @Willowfern @Kay~ @WinterMara @~_LuzNoceda_~ @nykyrian @WhiteDawn @Abyssopelagic @BEAR. @Fawn @hope @~*Hope*~ @ameko @lio @ophelia @-Ash- @puppeteer @furrensic @Shade. @sol. @StormySong @AlreadyMadness @Catherine @Fleafur @~'Atlas-The-Lemon'~ @Tulipfur @U.S.S. Catacombs @CatontheMoon @|~Ju-Ju-Is-A-Maniac~| @lily moon @Larissa @Starfall @Jester @DynaMight @Brightstorm☆ @CrazyCat4481 @Sklee @Wingnettle @Kunaisoul @Thistlestrike_ @xSagefeatherx @dino. @wren @CreekFang @Cottenkit @-Echo @Theabsolutecosmo @comet15 @Silvershadow13 @Buzzin' Bee @The Doctor @ThatOneJayfeatherFan @~Fawn.Heart~ @IsItACatty? @Crescentkit @Caspian @Darkclaws @Octavia! @Amber2010 @Eaglet @teddy. @mooncake @celeste @Wintersun @Birdspirit @simply.moss @zeebles @~_LuzuraTheTitan_~ @Exis @Archjay @Ravensong @Snowy Red @~Loona Hellhound~ @Scallywagz @InuKago @littlelove @jupiter @valery @Rapid @serendipity. @Dirtfur @Radetzky @SuspiciousMindz @Cinderspirit @TsuTsu! @Nixey @SoulJoy @Leafie @Sun´Spots @lillythewolf @Cornbread1233 @MeadowTail3 @Oddpaw \\

[SUGA]

Sleekshine
Her clan were acting like kits. She wanted to argue, but she knew better than to do that. The timid voice of Mintpaw made her eyebrows raise. Yes. That was a point. Scavengers could feed on their bodies, which wouldn’t honour them at all. Yet she was disappointed with her clan. There were frightened kits everywhere. She quietly approached them, with her sweeping tail, and began guiding them towards the nursery. Stormkit didn’t seem bothered at all, as she noticed with a small smile.

[ @Octavia ! , @SoulJoy, @jupiter - if briar wants to go to nursery if not it’s fine! ]

[*longfire*]

Peacpaw and cinderpaw talked about this

Bluestone listened quietly giving no expression e just watched

[JackHunt_17]

Cloudpaw awkward ducked out of the meeting. He was... scared.. and confused. He would return when Pikestar introduced him

[Silvershadow13]

~Silentripple~

The tabby molly watched in shock as the whole clan started to quarrel and Pikestar declared her was going to make Gingerfrost leader, then a bunch of cats retaliated at that, fearful to open her mouth, she stayed sitting, although she did have some very strong opinions, the molly remembered she had just managed to get back into this clan, it would do no use to get exiled within the first three days.